Fly strike .. Wild Graphic picture .x

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What is Fly Strike, also known as Myasis?

Maggot infestation is also called "fly blown" or "fly strike".

Answer: Maggots are the larvae of flies. Flies are common in the warmer months, and love dead, stinky, and rotting material! They lay eggs, and the eggs develop into larvae that need to eat. They larvae eat dead and rotting tissue, and look like small, white grub worms. They appear quite fast (8-12 hours), and will eat away tissue on your pet if the conditions are present - vomit, diarrhea, skin infection (blood, pus), poor skin/matted hair attract these pests. This condition can occur in all animals, including humans. Maggots are also used medicinally to clean up (debride) wounds, but only under very controlled conditions.
The larvae only eat dead tissue, but they can be extremely painful and irritating to the pet. Additionally, this condition can be fatal if left untreated. Please contact your veterinarian immediately, rather than wait. These conditions can appear and get worse within hours. It is important to find the cause of the initial maggot attraction (is your pet vomiting, have diarrhea, a wound, etc.) and to prevent further maggot infestation. Very old, young, or compromised animals will be more at risk.

Treatment involves physical removal of the maggots, wound flushing and cleansing, removal of remaining dead tissue or fecal matter, clipping hair from the area to aid in drying of the affected areas, and often an antibiotic to speed healing. Also, the inciting cause of the myiasis (i.e. diarrhea) must be addressed and treated to prevent reinfection of the maggots

Just added the graphic picture ...x

I hate to make this sound even worse but there is another fly which will lay its eggs on a hog with no open sores at all. The eggs hatch and eat healthy tissue. I hate to also be graphic but I have picked up a hog that was still alive and had maggots crawling in and out of it's intact eyes and squirming around in it's mouth. One of the most distressing things I have seen.

If you find a hog out during the day, this type of fly strike is a massive risk. Do not put the hog on heat as the eggs will hatch. Get the eggs off as soon as you can, they are very sticky and don't come off easily, I find that a toothbrush is the best way, although its a very messy job. If you find a hog with live maggots and do not have experience of this do not try to sort it out yourself, take it to a hedgehog carer as they will know whether the hog can be saved or not. There are techniques and potions for getting maggots out of crevices.

Wow .. that is really interesting Gem . When i come into contact with a wilde i always take them to Gill she isn't to far from me .. and i wouldn't have a clue when it comes to wildes although i am thinking about going on the course .. just to educate myself a little more .x

oh my... poor thing... xxx

Lou, the course is well worth it, I would definitely recommend it.

Yeah Gill said that ... I think i will more so as i said just to educate myself because at present i really don't have that much knowledge on the Wildes ..x

ooooo, graphic, its good what you do gem, but i dont think id have the heart to do it.